This bill establishes new prohibitions and penalties to prevent state and local government officials from obstructing federal immigration laws. Its primary aim is to address policies that limit cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning the release of individuals defined as "criminal aliens," who are aliens charged with or convicted of a crime. The legislation makes it unlawful for any responsible executive official of a State or local government to knowingly prohibit or limit compliance with DHS requests for reasonable advance notice of a criminal alien's scheduled release. This prohibition extends to establishing, directing, or enforcing any pertinent law, regulation, policy, or practice that restricts such compliance. Penalties for violations are tiered according to the severity of the criminal alien's offense. For example, if the violation leads to the release of a criminal alien charged with or convicted of murder, rape, or a sex offense against a minor, officials face imprisonment of 10 to 25 years. Lesser offenses, such as serious violent felonies or other criminal offenses, carry prison sentences ranging from 30 days to 10 years, aiming to deter non-compliance with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
This bill establishes new prohibitions and penalties to prevent state and local government officials from obstructing federal immigration laws. Its primary aim is to address policies that limit cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning the release of individuals defined as "criminal aliens," who are aliens charged with or convicted of a crime. The legislation makes it unlawful for any responsible executive official of a State or local government to knowingly prohibit or limit compliance with DHS requests for reasonable advance notice of a criminal alien's scheduled release. This prohibition extends to establishing, directing, or enforcing any pertinent law, regulation, policy, or practice that restricts such compliance. Penalties for violations are tiered according to the severity of the criminal alien's offense. For example, if the violation leads to the release of a criminal alien charged with or convicted of murder, rape, or a sex offense against a minor, officials face imprisonment of 10 to 25 years. Lesser offenses, such as serious violent felonies or other criminal offenses, carry prison sentences ranging from 30 days to 10 years, aiming to deter non-compliance with federal immigration enforcement efforts.